PRINCIPAL TALK! The Art of Effective Communication in Successful School Leadership

Childhood Education, Fall 2006 by Bonacci, Tina

PRINCIPAL TALK! The Art of Effective Communication in Successful School Leadership. Cheli Cerra and Ruth Jacoby. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004. Ul pp. $19.95. This title is one of six books in the authors' School Talk! Success Series. In Principal Talk!, Cerra and Jacoby present "52 Snapshots" of real-life conflicts that principals face in the day-to-day running of a school, and provide effective and practical tips on how to address them. Cerra has worked in education for over 18 years as a teacher and principal and is the founder of Eduville.com, an online learning community that offers strategies for student success. Jacoby is the founding principal of the Somerset Academy, and has more than 30 years of experience in education.

The book is laid out in a very practical and user-friendly manner that allows the reader to easily follow the material presented. For each snapshot scenario, the authors provide practical and effective tips, relevant worksheets, and highlighted points. The "Snapshots" are divided into five sections: 1) "Leadership Success," 2) "The School Team," 3) "Parents and Students," 4) "The Community," and 5) "Smooth Operations." The scenarios address a range of topics, from "The School secretary Is Rude" to "A Parent Demands a Grade Change" to "First Day of School Sets the Tone."

Appendix A, titled "Stress Buster Tips and Sample Letters," provides useful and practical sample letters and worksheets that can assist principals in communicating with faculty, parents, and the community. It includes advice on how to write an On Notice" letter to parents, a teacher observation, and a good press release. Whether readers are new or seasoned administrators, they will find the book to be a beneficial and practical resource. Other books in the School Talk! Success Series are: Teacher Talk!, School Board Talk!, Homeivork Talk!, Test Talk!, and Parent Talk! Reviewed by Tina Bonacci, M.Ed., Service-Learning Coordinator, La Salle High School, Pasadena, CA

Reviewed by Tina Bonacci, M.Ed., Service-Learning Coordinator, La Salle High School, Pasadena, CA